An unusual incident unfolded at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) recently, when a senior American Airlines Boeing 777 pilot was reprimanded by Delhi Air Traffic Control (ATC) for what officials described as “excessively slow taxiing.”
The pilot in question, Captain Steeeve—a well-known aviation YouTuber with a significant online following—was operating an American Airlines flight from Delhi when the altercation occurred. According to reports, the aircraft was taxiing at approximately 12 knots while operating at maximum gross weight. ATC deemed the speed insufficient for maintaining flow on the busy taxiways of one of Asia’s most congested airports.
The exchange between the cockpit and ground control escalated after repeated instructions to increase speed went unheeded. Ultimately, the ATC ordered the aircraft to a “penalty box”—an isolated holding area used to clear active movement areas for more cooperative traffic. This move led to further delays for the flight and additional scrutiny over communication procedures between foreign carriers and Indian aviation authorities.
Captain Steeeve later addressed the incident in a video posted to his YouTube channel, where he explained that safety considerations due to the aircraft’s heavy weight at the time justified the slower taxi speed. He also expressed frustration over the tone of the communication and the decision to direct the flight to a holding point.
The incident has stirred conversation within aviation circles, with some defending the pilot’s caution and others emphasizing the importance of adhering to local operational expectations and maintaining efficient ground movement at high-traffic airports like Delhi.
So far, neither American Airlines nor the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an official statement regarding the episode. However, the event has drawn attention to the challenges of cross-cultural aviation operations and the growing role of social media in amplifying behind-the-scenes tensions in commercial aviation.
